Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The counting of votes for Haryana’s municipal elections got underway on Wednesday morning across several districts under tight security, as officials began processing ballots cast for crucial urban local body contests.
Counting started at 8 am simultaneously at designated centres in Panchkula, Ambala and Sonepat, along with municipal council and committee elections in Rewari, Dharuhera, Sampla and Uklana.
Election officials said elaborate arrangements were made to ensure smooth counting, with police deployment strengthened around all centres to prevent any disruption. Entry has been limited to authorised personnel, counting agents and election observers.
More than 4.75 lakh voters participated in the civic polls, while the total eligible voter base stood at over 8.73 lakh. Officials described the turnout as significant, reflecting strong public interest in local governance issues.
In Panchkula, special traffic diversions were enforced from 5 am to 5 pm near the counting venue. The stretch connecting Valmiki Chowk to the Sector 14 Industrial Area cut remained closed throughout the day as part of security planning.
Commuters were advised to use alternate routes to avoid inconvenience, while traffic personnel were deployed at key intersections to regulate movement.
Political parties are keeping a close watch on the counting process, with candidates and supporters gathering outside counting centres awaiting trends and official announcements.
The municipal elections are considered politically important for all major parties, as the results are expected to influence local political equations and provide insight into voter sentiment ahead of larger electoral battles in the state.
Officials said counting will continue round by round until all ballots are tabulated, after which final results will be formally declared by returning officers.
